Amenities

DINING

Multiple dining options meet all your food and beverage needs; from snacks to full-on lunches, the possibilities are endless. Gluten-free options available.

African Village Restaurant (OPEN 10am – 4pm) – located at the entrance of Africa: Okavango Delta. Beer and wine available for purchase. Outdoor seating and bathrooms are located here.

Beastro (CLOSED FOR WINTER SEASON) – located next to the World of Reptiles and Friends. Beer and wine available for purchase. Outdoor seating and bathrooms are located here. Click to view the full menu.

MiniMelts (CLOSED FOR WINTER SEASON) – located near the Gift Shop and the Aldabra tortoise exhibit

Please note that outside food or drinks are not allowed inside the Zoo. You may bring in a reusable water bottle to be refilled at the water fountains outside the Goat Yard in the ZooFarm or in our African Village Restaurant.

If you want to have a picnic lunch, visit Lafayette Park, just outside the Virginia Zoo. The park includes seating and picnic shelters.

PLAYGROUNDS

Run Wild: Nature Discovery Zone is a one-acre natural playground that stimulates the imagination and allow children to take calculated risks, which help them to build critical decision-making skills. Features include a bamboo maze, stump jump, willow tunnel, dig boxes, balance beams and a Conservation Cabin. Run Wild: Nature Discovery Zone made possible by the Rotary District 7600, Norfolk Rotary Charities, Inc., Norfolk Sunrise Rotary, the Virginia Beach Rotary Club Foundation, Wells Fargo and Target.

Snavely the Rhinoceros viper is a 67-foot-long snake sculpture that doubles as a children’s play structure. The snake is constructed out of reinforced fiberglass and weighs almost 9,000 pounds. He earned his name thanks to a generous donation from the Goode Family, and can be found in a shaded area adjacent to the World of Reptiles and Friends where you can find the real snakes he is modeled after!

Enrichment Playground is located at the Animal Wellness Campus, consisting of enrichment items, identical to the ones the Zoo gives its own animals. The “mulch” in the Enrichment Playground is made from recycled tires.

SENSORY INCLUSION

The Virginia Zoo has partnered with non-profit KultureCity to become a certified sensory-inclusive facility.

Sensory backpacks and weighted lap pads are available in the Membership Office located inside the Zoo, to the right upon entering through the Ticket Booth.

Bags include: noise-reducing headphones, wacky track fidget, Monkey tube fidget, Marble fidget, visual cue card and KultureCity VIP lanyard.

Bags are available for checkout at no cost to those visiting the Zoo.

STROLLERS AND WHEELCHAIRS

Strollers and wheelchairs can be rented for the day on a first-come, first-serve basis. They can be rented from the Zoo’s Gift Shop or at the Stroller Shack, located just outside the shop.

• Single Stroller: Member, $10 //  Non-member, $12
• Double Stroller: Member, $12  //  Non-member, $14
• Motorized wheelchairs: Member, $36 //  Non-members, $40
• Regular wheelchairs: $16

All costs are for the entire day.

WATER PLAZA

Fountains are now flowing every day until Labor Day. Fountains will be turned off during inclement weather. Call to confirm.

Join the fun at one of the most-loved attractions at the Virginia Zoo. The entry plaza fountains are beautiful to see and hard to resist. Don’t forget to pack the kid’s bathing suits when you visit the Zoo, so everyone can enjoy the fun.

Pleasant seating is provided for those who want to relax and watch their excited children frolic in the water.

ZOO TRAIN

Hours: 9:40am-3:30pm

The Virginia Zoo Express is our all-new electric train. Enjoy a smooth ride around our grounds while learning about the Zoo and seeing some behind the scenes areas!

Tickets are $3 per rider and children under 2 ride for free.

*For the safety of riders and staff, the train will not operate during cold (45 degrees or below) or inclement weather. Call prior to your visit to confirm.

GIFT SHOP

The Virginia Zoo Gift Shop is open daily and located inside the Zoo to the left of the Membership office. Shop a wide variety of items for Zoo lovers of all ages, many of which support conservation efforts around the world.

MOTHER’S NURSING ROOM

Located inside the World of Reptiles, a Mother’s Nursing room is found between the Frog Conservation Lab and Aquatic Gallery.

FREE PARKING

Over 700 parking spaces for your convenience at no additional cost.

WATER FILL STATIONS

In an effort to reduce single-use plastics, the Virginia Zoo features bottle fill stations throughout the Zoo and we encourage all visitors to bring a reusable bottle to the Zoo. Don’t have one? The Zoo’s Gift Shop offers a variety of sizes and colors for all Zoo lovers.

Locations: ZooFarm, Run Wild: Nature Discovery Zone, Entrance of Africa – Okovango Delta